With cooking having become more and more of a trend, more people are headed for the kitchen – with exotic cuisines and matching new tools, from wok to sushi knives, kitchens are turning into injury hotspots. A cut, abrasion or burn can easily happen. Elastoplast, experts in wound healing, help you with some handy tips – and prepare for hazardous moments. And if an accident does happen, trust us for the right wound dressing up to the demands of even the most professional of chefs.

Safety tips in the kitchen

Cooking is fun, it allows you to experiment and to be creative. But sometimes, things can turn out to be pretty different from what you had planned for. Your rice may turn gummy, you don’t get the pan hot enough before you add the food, or your caramel turns bitter… however, a resourceful cook can course correct almost any kitchen blunder. Real drama only strikes when an accident happens and you need to get food on the table. That’s why the smart cook works in an organised environment and makes sure safety comes first. There are a few ways to be smarter every time.

Here are some helpful tips...

Handling knives and preparing food

Invest in good quality tools

This is the secret of any good chef. Tools should be up to top standard, anything that does not function properly or knives that are dull should not have a place in your kitchen.

Cutting edge

Always make sure to keep your knives sharp: sharper blades cut better and don’t cause injuries as often. Sharpen them on a regular basis. Dull knives are dangerous and actually make cutting much more difficult. Of course you know that you should always cut away from your body when using a knife: It can slip and cut you.

Wet paper towel for a better grip

Not only are cutting boards that slide on the counter annoying, they’re extremely dangerous when you’re holding a knife and trying to chop something. Wet a paper towel and lay it under the board and it won’t budge, even with harder-to-tackle things such as pumpkin!

Make it flat

A good trick is to always cut the ends off onions, tomatoes, melons etc. (any food that does not stay stable on the cutting board) to give them a flat surface. This allows you to have complete control of the item as you chop.

A recipe for injury:
When accidents are most likely to happen

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The golden chef’s rule: Mise en place

This is the most important tip of all in the kitchen, and every professional chef sticks to it. “Mise en place” is French for “everything in place”. What it means? Always know where your required tools and ingredients are. And before you start cooking, be organised and have everything at hand: all your ingredients measured, peeled, chopped, pots out, pans greased, tools handy, spices and herbs within reach. This will keep you from getting confused and running around looking for the ginger grater or strainer while your meat is already about to burn in the pan.

Kitchen checklist:

Clever wound care products to have around the kitchen

Ouch, something happened? Make sure to have the right wound dressing at hand. You are working around water and want to keep chopping, cooking, etc., so choose wound dressings that stay in place and have the right properties to let you keep fussing about the food rather than your injury.

The new Elastoplast Fabric Waterproof is ideal, as it is the first flexible adhesive bandage that doesn’t get soaked. Check the Elastoplast range for other convenient essentials and solutions to have at hand, and store them in a kitchen drawer.

1. Elastoplast ELASTIC + Waterproof:
It’s flexible and strong, and won’t get soaked, so it will let you continue with all of your kitchen tasks - even if they involve water.

Last but not least –
Some more tips for hobby chefs:

Tongs as an extension of your hand
A set of tongs can be found in almost every cook’s hand in professional kitchens – usually gripped low down on the handle for maximum control. It will protect your fingertips from injury, and will give you maximum grip when flipping meat, pulling a pan out of the oven, stabilise a steak while slicing, etc.

Handle with care!
Make sure to turn pot handles away from the front of the stove.
Burns from scalding are of the most common injuries in the kitchen.

Don’t play peek-a-boo!
Scalding can occur from hot steam as well. Be careful when lifting lids from hot food. Protect hands with oven mitts or a towel.

Towel to go
Another professional chef’s tip: Always have a towel either slung over your shoulder or tucked into your apron. This way you can have it handy to hold the lids when draining pots of boiling water, wipe your hands when wet --- the list goes on and on.

Always see your doctor if the wound is deep, bleeding or shows signs of infection like reddening, swelling or warmth.

Also make sure to seek medical help if you are not able to clean the wound properly.

In case you have diabetes, a proper wound care is of special importance. Always discuss any concerns you may have with your doctor and/or podiatrist, even for the care of minor wounds and skin cracks – especially on your feet.

Please note that none of the above given tips or recommendations substitute medical advice. Carefully read the instructions for use indicated on the product. Important: consult a health professional in case of any uncertainty of treating your wound properly.

The information provided through this website should not be used to diagnose or treat a health problem or disease. It is not a substitute for professional care or advice. If you have or suspect a health problem, you should consult your doctor. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it, because of something you have read on this website.